Thursday, 6 September 2007

Greedy Federal Government deny funds to Dying Women. Will the Rudd Labour Govt take up the slack and fund 'Tykerb'

AUSTRALIAN women with advanced breast cancer are being warned they could die earlier than necessary because an expensive drug was rejected for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Doctors and patients are dismayed by the Federal Government's decision not to subsidise Tykerb because of "unacceptable cost-effectiveness"

The only hope of it being listed on the(PBS) now rests on the Federal Labour Govt being elected around Oct 07, this other PBS( Pork barrelling scheme)by the Fed Labour party, promising funding for 'Tykerb' would be a vote collector for a Kevin Rudd Labour Government.

Tykerb has been shown to extend life expectancy in women with aggressive HER2-positive breast cancer who have run out of treatment options, including the drug Herceptin.

But at $3800 a month, on top of other medical costs, many women will be unable to afford it.

University of Sydney oncologist Associate Professor Fran Boyle said she felt frustrated by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee's ruling not to approve Tykerb.

"I'm disappointed because it offers a significant step forward for people with HER2-positive breast cancer,'' Professor Boyle said.

"The difficulty is that breast cancer has had a significant impact on most of these women's earning capacity, so they don't necessarily have the cash to pay out of their own pockets.

"It's not going to be a happy Christmas.''

The decision came as NSW scientists, in a damning report published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, estimated that $21 million had been wasted in inefficient dispensing of Herceptin over the past five years.

Herceptin was not approved for PBS listing - as it would not have been deemed cost-effective, either - but the Federal Government took the unprecedented step of setting up a separate taxpayer-funded program to cover the cost.

"Herceptin really should have been approved under the standard (PBS) scheme, even back then,'' Professor Boyle said.

The number of women who would qualify for Tykerb as a last-chance treatment was a relatively small proportion of breast-cancer sufferers, so the cost to the Government would not be prohibitive, she said.

Sydneysider Sally Giles, 43, who has advanced HER2-positive breast cancer and is taking Tykerb as part of a trial, said it would be "really sad'' if other women were denied the drug - and the chance to live longer - because of financial constraints.

"It's very scary when you get to the stage where you think, 'What is the next step?' because all the other medicines don't work,'' Ms Giles said.

"Tykerb would cost more than $40,000 a year, and how can you do that if you're not working and you have all the other medical costs?''

So will the ball be given to Kevin Rudd: Prime Minister designate?. Come on you Kev suppporters. You must twist his arm and give these women a bit of dignity during their final days. Get the message to your local Lab MP.

Manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) will continue a free Tykerb treatment program for eligible women until November 30.

All women enrolled in the trial will continue to receive free treatment after the deadline, but new patients will be forced to pay the full cost.

Clinical trials of Tykerb, which goes under the chemical name lapatinib ditosylate, found it almost doubled the survival time for sufferers of advanced HER2-positive breast cancer victims.

A TEAM of comedians have managed to cause the first embarrassing APEC security blunder with a member of The Chaser dressed as Osama bin Laden managing to ride a fake motorcade through two police cordons into the red zone.

Up to 11 people connected to the ABC Chaser group have been arrested by police after they drove their fake motorcade down Macquarie Street into the fenced off area not far from the Intercontinental Hotel where President George W Bush is staying.

It appears Chas Licciardello was dressed as Osama bin Laden and was only arrested after he emerged from one of the vehicles, much to the embarrassment of security forces in the area. Chaser star Julian Morrow was also detained.

.. Article continues.

Alternatively, you can cut and paste this link into your browser:http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22372814-5006009,00.html

oh Jim darling, so you are a tittilating titty lover, I would love to ask Vestie to allow my nippy succulent nipples to be seen pouting in full view on his blog.

Vestie, why did you publish the book in pseudo form, were you scared stiff someone would come sue you or what? btw I would have loved to be Emily-ooh what a hornbag but so sweet and intelligent-great combo.

JIM & AMY: Had a heavy session last night - not into tits and stuff right now, a seltzer might help though.

Amy: As I am only 24 klms down the road from you, how about a full life viewing of your so called 'Succulent chesticles, E mail me. A lengthy discussion might sway my opinion in the right direction.Amy: I have an obligation to protect my private life and my family's private life. But I have to walk a fairly fine line between selling the book and wanting my privacy.

Jim: Keshi is a Keshi and a fine person too, you cannot emulate Keshi, Keshi is unique; or haven't you noticed.Keshi has nice thingmebobs too. Imagination is the eye of the soul.Have a wibbly wobbly day.

Due to the HORSE FLU epidemic, the so called struggling horse industry received a significant boost yesterday with the unveiling of a $110 million equine flu rescue package, which is far and above the funding required for the unfortunate women requiring relief from pain during their final days on earth.Prime Miniature Howard and cronies have deemed a horse to be more important than a human being. A Nagging thought.And to all of you in struggle street; "Have a prosperous day".

About Me

Ardent family orientated bloke,love my family lots.
Love Australia my Beautiful adopted country, but remember passionately my home village, Chalgrove in Oxfordshire, England. My favourite friends would include several shipmates I am in close contact with who served with me while in the British Royal Navy ..going back a fair bit.
There is also the silence of my age, too full of wisdom for the tongue to utter it - in words intelligible to those who have not lived-the great range of my life.
Vest.GSM, LSGCM, WM, B/PM, ITM, UNM, K-N M, EOW M, Asia- PAC M. ROYAL NAVY 25yrs, Retired.